Freemasons?

Hi,

I've noticed quite a few mentions of 'masonic' this or 'freemason' that on this forum. Would I be right in saying there are a few freemasons here?

I know next to nothing about the freemasons, but am quite intrigued. I started doing a little research on the internet the other day, but the information I found was a little vague. I had a distant relative who was a freemason but he never mentioned anything about it, my dad told me this guy was a freemason once but that was about it.

From what I read on Wiki and other sites, it seems like quite a nice organisation to be involved with - concerned with such things as upholding moral standards in society etc. Is that what it's about or is there much more?

Also what are the typical costs of being a member, both financial and in terms of time spent going to lodge meetings?

I'm quite interested in finding out more, so if anyone has any tips/advice please let me know - by PM if you'd prefer.

Thanks. :)

Iwan, I also got curious about'em when they became more prominent in my community. There are so many conflicting accounts about the society that an outsider or even a lower-ranked insider wouldn't know much of the truth. Like in any hierarchy, different levels of initiation have different levels of knowledge and then there must be specializations as well to complicate the matters. Lower ranked members are only given the basic propaganda and higher ranked members won't reveal any more than that. The only way to learn meaningful info about them is to join.

My dad has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, but not an active member in over 30 years. Yet, he maintains his membership. I'm looking for a Shavers Lodge to join.

Randy

I guess he must find it worthwhile if he's maintained his membership for so long, especially if he's not actively attending lodges.

Do you have to join your 'local' lodge (geographically), or can you join any lodge at all? And is that a serious comment about a shavers lodge, do they actually specialise into lodges for different trades/professions?

I'd probably be interested in joining up, if only to find out more initially. But I'd like to get more of an idea of what's involved first.

Iwan,

It's a funny situation. My dad is totally commited. Yet, when I was in High School, I worked for a restaurant that had to cater for a Shriners/Masonic Lodge convention. Literally, I worked 36 hours straight. And the man in charge conveniently told us what a great job we were doing, and how impressed he was with the catering. At settlement time, he completely stiffed us on the tip, and told the boss how "horrible" things were. A couple of months later, my dad and I ran into Mr. Joel Steed (the man in charge) on the street. Dad asked if I knew who he was. I said "yes, that's the son of a bitch mother fu*^& who stiffed us on our tip after lying to us face to face". It's the only time my dad ever hit me...but he later apologized. Needless to say, I won't be involved with any of their projects! Regardless, I belive that overall it is a great organization. Yet 27 years later, I still judge them by Mr. Steed. He was a cheap bastard. But the good that they do overall, is worth mentioning and participating. I just can't get passed what this man taught me...supposedly a good man, but I learned what he was all about.

RT

I guess one just has to accept that there are both assholes and good people in all walks of life, just one of those things. The guy was probably just an asshole, nothing to do with being a freemason.

I can understand how a bad experience with a particular part of society might put you off them somewhat.

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Originally Posted by Iwan

I guess one just has to accept that there are both assholes and good people in all walks of life, just one of those things. The guy was probably just an asshole, nothing to do with being a freemason.

I can understand how a bad experience with a particular part of society might put you off them somewhat.

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Well, that and the fact that at one point, no one who was not a Shriner was allowed to enter the convention hall, as they were observing "sacred rites". Okay, I'm fine with that, but I did look in, and they were prancing around in unusual "costumes". Just a bit weird for my fancy. No disrespect to any Masonic Lodge members or Shriners intended...just not my cup of tea.

RT

Freemasonry is a social fraternity that teaches men to be better husbands, fathers, citizens. There are many levels but the highest is the lodge membership. Without that, a member couldn't be in the different concordant groups (shriners, scottish rite, etc). Of course, they have their "secrets" as any fraternity (college for example) would have. These are limited to mode of recognition.

The fraternity is the oldest formal fraternity in the world and, just here in the States, donates an average of 2 million dollars to charities each day. Some include eye foundations to help people with eye diseases, children's burns hospitals, medical research and the list goes on.

Yes, like any other group of people there are good guys and less that good guys but you will find the majority are upright members of their community.

There is a lot of junk and misinformation out there from opponents that have religious or other problems with the fraternity but, like most consipriacy theories, they are just false.

The funny costumes can be related to costumes used during plays. The foundations of the teachings are taken from the building of King Solomon's temple in the Old Testament so you could naturally see the desire for costumes for dramatic effect.

I hope this helps shed a little light on your questions.

Thanks Steve. I was reading a little about freemasonry in the UK and it seems that some very well respected people are masons. The Duke of Edinburgh is I think head of the main London lodge, and the head of the local lodge is a high ranking RAF officer.

Most of the founding fathers of America were too. I should speak to the shaving lodge comment - there is no such thing.

What does happen is that a group of masons with the same interest will sometimes form a club which is not an official part of the lodge. For example, in America, there are many masons who enjoy traveling and camping so they have formed a masonic camping club. The same may be true for ham radio operators or motorcycle enthusiasts.

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Originally Posted by Iwan

Thanks Steve. I was reading a little about freemasonry in the UK and it seems that some very well respected people are masons. The Duke of Edinburgh is I think head of the main London lodge, and the head of the local lodge is a high ranking RAF officer.

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Hey wasn't Jack the Ripper suposed to be a freemason:roflmao

yeah - I think "supposed to" is the operative phrase.

And Hitler outlawed'em. If your goodness is measured by the class of your enemies, they'd be a pretty good bunch. I just don't know enough to give you any real info on'em.

They're just people like everyone else... some good, some average, some bad. Their masonic connection is no different than people belonging to fraternities in college, the American Legion, Elks, Moose, Boy Scouts, etc. As I understand it, their focus is mostly community and charitable service. You can certainly look back in history and discover some crap about almost any organization, religion, etc. But today is today... :shrug: $.02

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Originally Posted by RichZ

Hey wasn't Jack the Ripper suposed to be a freemason:roflmao

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Jack the Ripper was supposed to have been lots of different people at one time and another and yes, the most popular contemporary theory does include lots of men who also happened to be freemasons. It was made into a concise and brilliant graphic novel as well as a graphic and truly terrifying movie.

What were we talking about? ... Oh, right! Freemasons.

Flights of fancy aside ... the masons have been described as a "secret" society, a "brotherhood" and many other things, but I believe it is closer to the purpose and the truth to think of fremasons as "free-thinkers".

I'm sure the member masons here will have things to say either publicly or privately which are more clarifying.

X

I actually have a serious question for a change. Does anyone know their history? Were they really masons? I love history.

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Originally Posted by RichZ

I actually have a serious question for a change. Does anyone know their history? Were they really masons? I love history.

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One word...GOOGLE!

http://www.oelodge.uklinux.net/history.htm

RT

Here's the thing. They have been around so long that legends have developed. Like most legends, the become grander than the actual truth.

All that is known for sure is that they formally appeared as an organized body in 1717 in England. Now, for several local lodges to have organized into a larger group, it is reasonable to presume that their history predates the 1717 date. How far before that or how they actually came to exist as an organization with the forms and ceremonies they have today, no one can confidently know.

There are those that say the group developed out of the demise of the Knights Templar, or go back to the builders of King Solomon's temple in Jeruselem, or out of the medieval stone masons guilds in Great Britian.

Be careful with Google searches, like all research on the internet you can find good quality information as well as complete junk.

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Originally Posted by steve

Here's the thing. They have been around so long that legends have developed. Like most legends, the become grander than the actual truth.

All that is known for sure is that they formally appeared as an organized body in 1717 in England. Now, for several local lodges to have organized into a larger group, it is reasonable to presume that their history predates the 1717 date. How far before that or how they actually came to exist as an organization with the forms and ceremonies they have today, no one can confidently know.

There are those that say the group developed out of the demise of the Knights Templar, or go back to the builders of King Solomon's temple in Jeruselem, or out of the medieval stone masons guilds in Great Britian.

Be careful with Google searches, like all research on the internet you can find good quality information as well as complete junk.

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That's why I don't always use google.......:td

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

And Hitler outlawed'em. If your goodness is measured by the class of your enemies, they'd be a pretty good bunch. I just don't know enough to give you any real info on'em.

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Even Benito Mussolini outlawed us! For us are sacre libertè, egalitè, fraternitè.

I am a Mason and very proud of it.

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I know a mason and he is a very good friend.
I seriously doubt if any mason in SRP will divulge any secret information ,or even come forward to either deny or proffer any explanation against any negative comment or slander that gets hurled at them.
They don't need to -they know how good they are -and they do not allow ar...holes to join.You can only be recommended to join by a member and they will blackball any undesirables.
They mostly meet to plan charity drives and go to great lengths to help worthy causes.They also look after their own members in extreme hardship.None of this is publicised.
All in all they are an excellent bunch of people - no different to many excellent characters found in SRP.
As a taxi driver i pick up many wheelchair users and disabled children/adults- when i take them inside the special schools and workshops the reception area is festooned with donation award placques from the local masonic lodges.
Of course finding charity money is hard and they can drive hard bargains when organising special events to raise money.Any discounts are turned into the charity pot and many members contribute out of their own pockets.
So don't be so hard on them-and NO I am not a member.Deep down I know i should be and so should all of YOU!!
Kind regards
Noggs
:soapbox:

I come from a long line Of masons My grandfather in one My brother and cusin and my self are all masons and shriners I for one can say thdo great work being a former shriners hospital kid

Hi Wheelz74401,

I salute you and your family-keep up the good work!

Kind regards
Noggs

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Originally Posted by noggs247

So don't be so hard on them-and NO I am not a member.Deep down I know i should be and so should all of YOU!!
Kind regards
Noggs
:soapbox:

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I think Slarti was reacting to the fact that you resurrected a thread that has been dead for more than 4 years. Btw I think it is a bit strong to say that we should all be masons. Lots of people seem to be able to do good work without wanting or needing to be part of a 'secret society'. I am not a mason but that fact alone does not give you any basis to make guesses about my charitable work or personality traits.

As for how 'good' they are: I know several masons. In my opinion they cover the entire spectrum, including the part of the spectrum that covers greed, arrogance, and the other less savory parts of human behavior. Just like any other group of people.

Hi Bruno,
I think you'll find that Slarti posted that"Necro" -thing earlier than my post so it had already been resurrected by an earlier post than mine ,but i still had to chuckle when I saw the date of the original post! To think I climbed up on my soapbox and delivered all that to an empty hall!!
I'll have to watch for that in future.
However-Please do not take my comments personally as they were directed in general to those who do not understand masons and who criticise them from sheer ignorance.It would be ridiculous to expect all SRP members to join the Masons.
I know that there are alot of charities who also do good work and many SRP members who do equally good work and I would not dare to tell them how to go about their business or make guesses about their personality traits as you put it.I think that because I generalised you have put a personal slant on it that was not intended.
However ,unlike yourself I do not know any bad masons.I think we can only speak as we find -maybe you are a better judge of character.
Kind regards
Noggs :)

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Originally Posted by noggs247

Hi Bruno,
I think you'll find that Slarti posted that"Necro" -thing earlier than my post so it had already been resurrected by an earlier post than mine ,but i still had to chuckle when I saw the date of the original post! To think I climbed up on my soapbox and delivered all that to an empty hall!!
I'll have to watch for that in future.
However-Please do not take my comments personally as they were directed in general to those who do not understand masons and who criticise them from sheer ignorance.It would be ridiculous to expect all SRP members to join the Masons.
I know that there are alot of charities who also do good work and many SRP members who do equally good work and I would not dare to tell them how to go about their business or make guesses about their personality traits as you put it.I think that because I generalised you have put a personal slant on it that was not intended.
However ,unlike yourself I do not know any bad masons.I think we can only speak as we find -maybe you are a better judge of character.
Kind regards
Noggs :)

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You have admitted that you are not a mason, so you would not have the same outlook as a mason.

I am a mason and Bruno is correct. Our fraternity harbours arseholes as muh as any other.

Hi Desdinova,

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Originally Posted by Desdinova

You have admitted that you are not a mason, so you would not have the same outlook as a mason.

I am a mason and Bruno is correct. Our fraternity harbours arseholes as muh as any other.

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I do not pretend to know what it's like to be a Mason-I am only expressing the view that" Masons do alot of good work in the community ,are a good bunch of people who don't deserve the criticism levelled at them."

Let me amend it to "Masons do alot of good work in the community,are a good bunch of people and ar..holes who don't deserve the criticism levelled at them."

That should do it then.

Kind regards

Noggs :)

This is a little late, but, as a Mason and a PM of a lodge, I wanted to comment that the Mr. Steele referred to on the first page, seems to have been a glad-hander on one end and a liar on the other to afford himself excuse for stiffing some young people from tips earned and expected and I am sorry that these types of people find there way into any good organization...loser/users are always seeking the benefits of worthy association be it the members of a church, political group/party, fraternity, rally/event, etc. As needy/greedy, self-interested people, they are always placing themselves in front of the line, taking the most, while offering the least; talking the most and loudest and while doing the least. Unfortunately, as the ones in the front of the line and making the most commotion, they are the ones remembered...the poorest of examples.

I will say, that the Masons, (Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite and Shiners), that it was my pleasure to know and work with seemingly lived for the charities that the Mason-Group organized and support. Some of the best and most self-less men I know are/were Masons...and yes, there were a few that joined because they thought they would benefit from the association. Anyway, that has been my experience after 32 years.

+1 Well put hardblues

Out of curiosity, what does the 'PM' stand for?

Past Master...a position heading a particular lodge for one year.

How you been Bruno, haven't chatted for quite a while...